Mad Queen Leaves the Palace

Wu Yuyu was being dragged along by Xiao Lan, looking completely bewildered. Before she could even process what was happening, Xiao Lan suddenly blurted out something about her younger brother, which made the already confused Wu Yuyu even more disoriented.

Wu Yuyu stared wide-eyed at Xiao Lan, her face full of confusion, and said, "Sister, where did I get a younger brother? In our Wu family, I'm the youngest, there aren't any younger brothers!" As soon as she finished speaking, she seemed to remember something and began to mutter softly, "Even in the Jiang family, I'm the youngest..." As she spoke, Wu Yuyu couldn't help but look up, her gaze sweeping over her cousins ​​who were laughing so hard they were almost hugging each other.

However, despite the laughter of those around her, Wu Yuyu still couldn't figure out what was going on. She wondered to herself: Where did Xiao Lan come from to imagine a younger brother and plant him inside her? It was truly baffling!

When they arrived in the courtyard, Wu Yuyu hopped around like a happy little rabbit, grabbed Xiao Lan's hand, and said coquettishly, "Sister, let's go back to the room to sleep together tonight!" Xiao Lan looked at the lively and lovely girl in front of her, smiled and nodded in agreement.

Upon entering the room, Wu Yuyu eagerly sat on the edge of the bed, her large eyes sparkling with excitement, as if she had countless things to say to Xiao Lan. However, after they finished washing up and climbed into bed, Wu Yuyu's previously eloquent speech suddenly became somewhat disjointed. Before she could even utter a few complete sentences, drowsiness overwhelmed her like a tidal wave, her eyelids began to droop uncontrollably, and before long, she had fallen into a deep sleep.

Seeing this, Xiao Lan couldn't help but chuckle. She gently turned to her side, gazing tenderly at Wu Yuyu, who had already drifted off to sleep beside her. Wu Yuyu's delicate face looked exceptionally serene and adorable in the moonlight, her slightly parted lips seeming to be murmuring something in her sleep. Xiao Lan carefully reached out and gently pulled the blanket up over Wu Yuyu, then carefully tucked her in, afraid she might catch a cold. Having done all this, Xiao Lan finally lay down, closed her eyes, and gradually drifted into a sweet dream.

The next morning, while it was still early, Xiao Lan and Wu Yuyu got up according to the academy's usual schedule. The two quickly washed up, tidied their clothes, and prepared to start a new day.

Not long after, a servant rushed over and said respectfully, "Young Master Xiao, Miss Xiao, and Miss, please move to the front hall for your meal." Hearing this, Xiao Lan and the others nodded and followed the servant to the front hall.

When they arrived at the front hall, they found only Cui Sumu and Liu Yun, a married couple, sitting at the table waiting. Seeing this, everyone was puzzled but didn't dare ask any questions. Just then, Qiaozhu stepped forward and said softly, "Please don't be offended, everyone. This morning, the General's wife suddenly felt unwell and was unable to join us for the meal. She specifically instructed me to tell you to eat first, and that she would come to join the General later when she felt a little better." With that, Qiaozhu gave a slight bow and then stepped aside to serve.

"Mother is unwell? What happened? I have to go see her right away." Upon hearing the news that Jiang Xiuzhi was sick, Wu Yuyu's face instantly turned tense. She hurriedly stood up from her seat and ate, not even putting down her chopsticks, looking extremely anxious.

Just then, Qiaozhu, who was standing nearby, quickly reached out and grabbed her, saying, "Oh dear, my good lady, don't worry. Actually, Madam is fine. She just went to bed late last night and is still lazing in bed, unable to get up." As Qiaozhu spoke, she carefully observed her mistress's expression, afraid that she would be angry because of her words.

However, Wu Yuyu wasn't completely relieved after hearing this explanation. She frowned and asked, "Is that really all? Then why didn't anyone tell me before?" Qiaozhu was somewhat speechless. She hesitated for a moment, but ultimately decided not to tell the unmarried young lady the real reason. So, she stammered, "Uh... well... Miss, I don't really know the specifics. Anyway, Madam just got up a little late, so please don't worry too much." After saying this, Qiaozhu unconsciously lowered her head, her voice growing softer and softer, as if she had done something wrong.

After hearing Qiaozhu's words, Xiao Lan thought to herself: Wu Yuyu is such a blockhead. It's not right for the maid to tell you directly that your father has exhausted your mother, which is why she can't get out of bed. But even if the maid said that, Wu Yuyu would probably still ask, with so many servants, why does her father have to exhaust her mother?

Therefore, Xiao Lan originally intended to stop Wu Yuyu, but then she thought that she was only a sixteen-year-old unmarried girl. She secretly pondered that it might be inappropriate to rashly intervene at this moment. So, she suppressed the urge to speak and quietly waited for Qiaozhu to finish speaking.

After Qiaozhu finished speaking, Xiao Lan slowly raised her head, looking at Qiaozhu with gentle yet firm eyes, and said softly, "Qiaozhu, after we finish breakfast, let's go back to Yu's courtyard together to wait for Aunt. Go back first and inform Aunt so that she won't have to wait too long."

Upon hearing this, Qiaozhu quickly and crisply replied, "Yes, Miss Lan! I will go and report back to Madam right away." With that, she turned and left in a hurry, leaving only the soft sound of her footsteps and the rustling of her skirt.

Meanwhile, Wu Yuyu, looking worried, said to Liu Yun beside her, "Miss Yun, I'll have to trouble you to check on my mother later. It's strange, everything was fine before. Back in Shaozhou, my mother often stayed up late with me, but she's never been like this before. It's almost time for breakfast, and she still hasn't gotten up." As she spoke, Wu Yuyu's delicate brows furrowed slightly, her eyes filled with anxiety and worry.

After hearing this, Liu Yun turned her head slightly, her gaze falling on Cui Sumu. She saw a hint of helplessness on his handsome face, mirroring the emotion in her own eyes. She couldn't help but smile softly, then returned her gaze to Wu Yuyu, saying gently, "Yes, Miss Yu, please rest assured. I will do my best to assist Madam with her diagnosis in a little while."

Before long, the five of them finished their meal. After resting for a while, they sat down in the courtyard where Wu Yuyu lived and chatted. Just then, Jiang Xiuzhi and Wu De hurried over. Everyone looked up and saw that Jiang Xiuzhi's face was rosy, like a ripe apple, and there was no sign of any physical discomfort.

Seeing this, Xiao Lan thought to herself, "With Aunt in such a state, if Wu Yuyu were to ask about her illness, it would likely create an awkward situation. No, I must speak first." So, she quickly spoke before Wu Yuyu could, asking, "Aunt, I wonder if yesterday's matter has been properly resolved?"

"Oh dear, thank you so much, Doctor Cui! Those wretched rats have finally been caught! I'll be going to the estate in a bit to give those incredibly annoying fellows a good talking-to. You, take Doctor Cui back and get back to your business. I'll come find you after I've settled things here." Jiang Xiuzhi said, a relaxed smile on her face. You see, last night she'd been pestered by that annoying Wu De all night long! But thankfully, after some effort, she'd finally gotten Wu De to agree to help deal with the Qin family. Not only that, Wu De solemnly promised that from now on, unless it was a holiday, he would never set foot in Li's courtyard again. Hearing this, Jiang Xiuzhi was extremely satisfied, feeling that her hard work and toil all night had finally yielded a good result.

After bidding farewell to Jiang Xiuzhi, Xiao Mu'an and Xiao Lan, along with Cui Sumu and Liu Yun, traveled to Wutong Residence. Upon arrival, Xiao Mu'an immediately went to continue writing the unfinished plaque, while Xiao Lan rested briefly before heading to the market with Liu Yun and Yue'er to carefully select some clever and obedient maids for their service.

Just then, hurried footsteps approached from afar. It was the manager of Wutong Residence, rushing towards her. He bowed slightly and said, "Miss Lan, not long after you left yesterday, His Highness the Fifth Prince arrived! He waited here for a long time, until almost midnight. Seeing that you had not returned, His Highness had no choice but to leave first, but before leaving, he specifically left a letter, repeatedly instructing me to personally deliver it to you." After speaking, the manager carefully took out a letter from his robes and respectfully handed it to Xiao Lan.

Xiao Lan reached out and took the letter, placing it in her sleeve, and asked, "Where is he?"

The shopkeeper replied, "We left the city early this morning."

As soon as the innkeeper finished speaking, Xiao Lan understood that their destination was most likely Xiwu Prefecture. However, she couldn't help but wonder why the journey was so rushed. If she had known things would turn out this way, she shouldn't have stayed overnight at the General's Mansion yesterday. Thinking of this, Xiao Lan was filled with regret.

Last night, around midnight, the group hastily set off. Such a rushed departure meant even the usually energetic Yan Nan Hui likely hadn't had a proper rest, and he must be exhausted by now. It's truly uncertain whether everyone will be able to withstand today's long journey. Especially Yan Nan Hui; if lack of sleep affects his condition, the rest of the journey will be very difficult!

Seeing that Xiao Lan was in a bad mood, Yue'er asked from inside the carriage, "Miss, the Fifth Prince left you a letter, why didn't you read it?" Xiao Lan remembered after hearing Yue'er's words and quickly took the letter out of her sleeve.

The text unfolds into Yan Nan's unrestrained cursive script: "My beloved Lan'er, baby, I waited all night but you didn't return. Father is pressing me, so I have to go take care of my business early. But I'll miss you. Also, I think I still need to go to Yuzhou to meet my future in-laws, otherwise, I'm afraid even a royal decree of marriage won't be enough to contain the little white rabbit in my heart..."

Xiao Lan stared at the three words "Little White Rabbit" on the letter, her gaze seemingly traveling through time back to her distant past life. Those almost forgotten memories surged into her mind like a flood bursting its banks.

On that hazy, drunken night in his past life, Yan Nan Hui was completely intoxicated, muttering to himself, "My beloved little white rabbit is about to get married..." At that time, Xiao Lan was immersed in the joy of her upcoming marriage to Yan Lin Feng, completely unaware of the sorrow and loss in Yan Nan Hui's words.

Perhaps the joy of her wedding clouded her judgment, or perhaps Yan Nanhui's facade was too perfect, leading Xiao Lan to always perceive him as a good-for-nothing playboy. However, after her rebirth and return to the capital with memories of her past life, everything changed.

She began to meticulously examine the various events of the past, delving into Yan Nan Hui's past experiences. As her understanding deepened, a completely different Yan Nan Hui gradually emerged before her eyes—it turned out that he was not the纨绔 (wán kù, a spoiled brat) that everyone perceived, but rather a man of hidden talents and great ambition. Otherwise, how could he have returned from his previous life after years on the frontier, transforming into the regent who instilled fear in Yan Lin Fengdu?

Thinking of this, Xiao Lan couldn't help but feel ashamed. She never imagined that she was actually the little white rabbit that Yan Nan Hui couldn't forget! And in her past life, she was completely unaware of this, even thinking of finding this little white rabbit so that she could easily get rid of Yan Nan Hui in the future. At this moment, Xiao Lan felt deeply remorseful, feeling that she had been far too heartless and selfish.